Miranda Hobbs is an Alcoholic and I’m not sure how I feel about it. In the opening trailer of Season Two of “And Just Like That” on Max, formerly known as HBO, we hear Carrie Bradshaw saying the following words…
“You don’t move on because you’re ready to. You move on because you’ve outgrown who you used to be.”
— Carrie Bradshaw. And Just Like That, Season Two
As a die-hard Sex and the City fanatic, I can confidently say that I am Carrie Bradshaw’s long-lost, plus-sized sister. Even when an episode misses the mark, or one of the movies jumps the shark (I’m looking at you, SATC 2), I still adore everything about it. As a small-town girl with big-city dreams – fashion, and shoes are my lifeblood. My Instagram handle @alysseinthecity has been alive and kicking for over 13 years.
My SATC obsession runs deep – I’ve collected every coffee table book, trivia game, puzzle, and random trinket associated with the show. I even have a signed bottle of Sarah Jessica Parker’s perfume from when I met her at the downtown Seattle Nordstroms. No big deal. (Pun intended)
When “And Just Like That” premiered mid-pandemic, I was ready to jump on board the “Is Miranda one of US?” bandwagon. My fabulous friend and fellow Sober Curator Lane Kennedy joined me, and we even created a limited-edition podcast called The Mindful Binge where we broke down each episode with our signature sass and wit. We were so into it that we dressed up for the finale – Lane in a couture Sean Paul Gaultier piece from her own closet and me recreating Carrie’s iconic smoking outfit sourced on Amazon. Because let’s be real, who needs a reason to dress up?
On a side note, now that the pandemic is a few years behind us, I can’t help but cringe at some of my online behavior during that time. The things I’d do for a like or a follow…let’s just say I’m happy to still be sober and more mindful these days. Cheers to growth and the never-ending love for SATC!
The Mindful Binge: Check it out on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. You can also check out the full playlist on YouTube
And Just Like That Season Two – Here’s What I Think So Far…
Season Two unveils a renewed emphasis on the ladies reclaiming their post-pandemic prowess, and the show wastes no time in showcasing a montage of each of them preparing to get it on. While Carrie Bradshaw still mourns the loss of Mr. Big, she’s bravely stepping outside her comfort zone, indulging in weekly rendezvous with her dashing podcast producer.
This season’s tone takes a lighter turn, introducing four fresh faces we got to know in Season One, alongside our beloved trio. Although Samantha remains conspicuously absent, whispers of a cameo by the fabulous Kim Cattrall have inspired me to embrace a new hairstyle, boldly sporting bangs in solidarity. Yet, I find myself perplexed by the paradox of an alleged sexpert like Carrie Bradshaw struggling to embrace candid discussions about the very subject that once defined her. This recurring theme, which surfaced in Season One, seems stubbornly resistant to improvement. If you want that podcast to pay for more Manolo Blahniks, stop whining and get over yourself Bradshaw. You’re not too old to talk about sex.
Miranda is an “Alcoholic”
However, my true qualm lies with the Miranda and Che storyline. Its contrived nature and triteness were apparent in the previous season, and now, as Miranda suspends her own life to embark on a whirlwind adventure with Che in the smoggy yet star-studded city of LA, I can’t help but cringe at the direction her mid-life crisis appears to be headed.
In the second episode, we witness Miranda’s public declaration of her alcoholism at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting set in a glamorously pristine white church in the Hollywood hills. Having attended countless AA meetings across the country during my 17-year tenure, I have never encountered such opulence and gleam for a 12-step environment. This deviation from the narrative in Season One that previously saw Miranda immersed in Holly Whittaker’s “Quit Like a Woman” left me questioning, “How long was I out?” In my experience, it’s rare to find Whittaker fans that embrace 12-step rooms. So how did Miranda end up here and why are the details of this storyline so incredibly vague?
It feels as though the writers are striving to tick off every 2023-relevant box, attempting to enforce equity within the characters’ storylines. Despite my reservations, I continue tuning in with my alcohol-free Cosmopolitan knock-off, fueled by the hope of Aiden’s return (played by the handsome John Corbett), who remains, without a doubt, my favorite among Carrie’s past lovers. Thankfully, I find solace in the outlandish fashion that is the opposite of the new quiet luxury trend, the promise of a Samantha sighting, as well as the potential rekindling of the dynamic between Aiden and Carrie. So, I’ll keep coming back, one ridiculous episode at a time.
And Just Like That…”Is Miranda Hobbs, An Alcoholic?”
Published December 15th 2021:
Yes, I know everyone is talking about the Sex and the City reboot, including all of the curve balls that were lobbed our way last Thursday when the stylish ladies of Manhattan resumed their rightful HBO home on our big screens. There is already so much to unpack, and we’re only two episodes in.
If you haven’t heard what happens to BIG, I’ll assume you live in the middle of nowhere where Wi-Fi doesn’t exist. I want to talk about Miranda’s “my hair color no longer defines me” Hobbs. Raise your hand if your sober radar went off not once, not twice, but three times by the time we got to the end of episode two. I mean, statistically, one of the fab four or one of their immediate friends or family members were bound to be an alcoholic, right?
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THE MINDFUL BINGE: It’s ok to indulge in a good TV series binge occasionally, as long as you do so mindfully. This section of the site explores TV series that feature addiction, recovery, and mental illness as one of the main storylines.
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Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
